Weekend is a novel written by Fay Weldon that explores themes of marriage, infidelity, and social class. Set in the 1970s, the novel follows the lives of two couples, the wealthy and sophisticated George and Anthea, and the working-class Pete and Julia, as they spend a weekend together at a country house.
As the weekend progresses, it becomes clear that all is not well in either of the couples' marriages. George and Anthea's relationship is strained, as George is having an affair and Anthea is unhappy in her role as a stay-at-home wife. Pete and Julia, meanwhile, are struggling to make ends meet and are constantly bickering.
The novel delves into the relationships between men and women, and the expectations placed on them by society. Anthea, in particular, is portrayed as a victim of the gender roles of the time, forced to conform to traditional notions of femininity and domesticity. Weldon also explores the theme of infidelity, showing how it can lead to the breakdown of trust and the erosion of relationships.
Despite the heavy themes, Weekend is also a humorous and satirical novel, poking fun at the upper class and their superficial values. Weldon's writing is sharp and incisive, and she uses wit and irony to expose the flaws and contradictions of her characters.
Overall, Weekend is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that offers a poignant critique of modern society and the roles that men and women are expected to play. It is a testament to Fay Weldon's skill as a writer and her ability to tackle complex issues with wit and insight.
âWeekendâ by Fay Weldon
Campbell also discusses and provides insights on the matters of single motherhood, employed married women â who were largely subject to public ire for taking the jobs of men especially if their husband also had a job-- and women deserting their families. Although the text respects the short story elements of a single event and a few characters, the text does not follow a traditional plot structure. Martha is seeking to be a duteous house-wife at the same clip as being a calling adult female. Their inferior jobs such as babysitter or textile worker were barely enough to survive on. The characteristics of gender roles, shown through in each individual story and hint at the stereotypes that were places on women of that time period. All the while, when the woman got her hard earned paycheck, it was expected to go towards family needs. She blames her female parent and a lonely childhood for what she has become.
Fay Wedon's 'Weekend' a Feminist Analysis
People, children, houses, conversations, food, drink, theatres - even, now, a career. On the other manus. This kit has been rewritten from the original 2003 version, which was much longer. Busy: ah so busy! Retrieved 30 March 2013. In her fiction, Weldon typically portrays contemporary women who find themselves trapped in oppressive situations caused by the patriarchal structure of British society. Having faithfully kept their vows of engagement, Louisa Ellis and Joe Dagget have reunited after fourteen years of separation.
Summary of Weekend
Katie storms off, and Colin is forced to burn the picture in order to satisfy Katie. Martin, in contrast to Martha, in many ways still appreciates the old traditional gender-roles: the man working to provide for the family, and the woman performing the domestic duties. I don't even know what to say. Through sarcasm and irony, the author conveys an important critique of the expectations that a male-dominated society has of women, which forces women to fit in certain boxes: wife, mother, friend, career woman, mistress, etc. . We will also focus on the narrator and language of the story. She was not helpless.
Characterisation of Martha
Ultimately, she is forced to choose the former since Martin strongly disapproves of her putting her career before her family. . They believe that even potential parents should be skills in parenting and trained to be a good parent. This should be a happy and joyful minute for Jenny. I don't even know what to say. As Joe uneasily recognizes, his fiancé cannot stand even one book lying out of place, and is wearing three aprons really necessary? I entered the room to see Rebecca, her dark ash-brown hair, flowing like silk as it trailed down behind her dainty, gentle shoulders.
